Emil Vogelsang built his button factory named "Canadian Ivory Button Factory" in 1879. Condition in 1978 was listed as very good. There is a Dutch influence in the brickwork over the windows. In the 1990's the factory was converted to apartments with additional apartments built attached. This apartment conplex is now a co-op and is known as as "Bread and Roses".

"In the late 1980's, a group of concerned individuals decided to do something about the fact that rental housing was becoming increasingly hard to afford. At the time, the Federal Government of Canada used to sponsor a co-op housing program through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).

The founding group approached CMHC and got the ball rolling. The group incorporated as Bread and Roses Co-operative Homes (Kitchener). Our name: Bread and Roses is symbolic of the fact that people need not just a home (Bread), but also a community to live in and belong to (the Roses). In addition, it is the title of a historically significant song from the labour movement.

THE BUTTON FACTORY

The original building began life as a button factory in 1879. Owned and operated by Emil Vogelsang. This historical site became available to Bread and Roses,
negotiations were concluded and construction began. A new high-rise building was put up and the historical factory was converted into apartments.

Finally, after a long and adventurous road, the first members moved into the project in June of 1990. Because the goal was not to make a profit, but rather to provide safe and secure housing to those who needed it, special efforts were made to accommodate those who are at a disadvantage in seeking comfortable housing. Just over half of the apartments were designated as rent-geared-to-income housing (RGI); and is funded by CMHC. We were also able to get 4 wheelchair-accessible units and reserve two RGI units for people living with HIV/AIDS. From the beginning, we have been a mixed-income community and have welcomed diversity in our membership.

Since being founded, Bread and Roses has gone through many phases of community building and learning how to run its own affairs independently. Having lately gone through a series of building improvements, we are currently focusing on community growth and a culture of involvement where members are active in the day-to-day running and decision-making of the Co-op. Every new member is an additional asset to Bread and Roses. Each bringing with them new experiences and skills to contribute to our little community."

A young German named Emil Vogelsang came to Berlin in 1867 and chummed with Allan Huber, son of H. S. Huber. One day the merchant questioned the youth,

"What can you do, Emil?"
"I'm a button turner."
"Then show us how you make buttons."
"Before I could do that," said Emil, "I'd need a lathe and a batch of ivory-nuts."

Mr. Huber had a lathe made in Waterloo and imported a shipment of nuts for Mr. Vogelsang. The latter leased a room and power from the Simpson Furniture Company and soon was manufacturing first-class buttons. He called his venture, "The Pioneer Button Works." The buttons found a ready sale in Eastern Canada and the United States. His was the first button factory in Canada, if not in America..Before long Mr. Vogelsang needed a factory of his own. He interested J. J. Woelfle in the enterprise and they awarded Jacob Y. Shantz a contract to erect a $20,000 building on the northeast corner of King and College Streets. Before it was up Mr. Woelfle withdrew. Mr. Shantz then purchased an interest in the button works for a sum equal to the price of the building and entered into a 7-year agreement with Mr. Vogelsang. When that term expired Mr. Vogelsang retired and built another button factory in South Queen Street, which he later sold to the W. G. & R. Shirt Company. (Now occupied by the Fehrenbach Mattress Co.)

Mr. Shantz had not had any practical experience in the manufacture of buttons, yet did not wish to see the employees deprived of their livelihood. He therefore continued manufacturing and after costly experimenting, during which he was assisted by his son, M. B. Shantz, the factory was placed on a sound footing. Mr. Shantz's sons Dilman and John likewise joined him. Jacob Y. Shantz & Sons became the largest employers of labor in Berlin. For a time there were four button factories in the town and it was widely known as "Buttonville." Jacob Y. Shantz entered into partnership also with a Mr. Feick and made felt goods in the button-factory basement.

Emil came to Canada in 1866, aged 32. A year later he sent for Louisa. They were married by her brother, Rev. F.W. Tuerk, who was already here as the minister of the New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborg). Another of her brothers worked for Emil in the Vogelsang Button Factory and it is said that he embezzeled money and thus ruined the business. Emil opened a new Button Factory in Port Elgin, ON. He died at age 59 after he moved back to Berlin, ON, and the VOGELSANG burial plot is in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Kitchener.